Abstract
Massive hemoptysis is a potentially fatal respiratory emergency. The majority of these
patients are referred to interventional radiology for bronchial artery embolization
(BAE). Immediate clinical success in stopping hemoptysis ranges from 70 to 99%. However,
recurrent hemoptysis after BAE is seen in 10 to 55% patients. One of the main reasons
for recurrence is incomplete embolization due to unidentified aberrant bronchial and/or
non-bronchial systemic arterial supply. This pictorial essay aims to describe the
normal and variant bronchial arterial anatomy and non-bronchial systemic arterial
feeders to the lungs on conventional angiography; the knowledge of which is critical
for interventional radiologists involved in the care of patients with hemoptysis.
Keywords
bronchial - embolization - hemoptysis
